So Close. Yet Worlds Away...

After signing the contracts for the flat, I suddenly realised just how much work there was to be done. I set to work on creating a floor plan and 3d rendering for planning purposes. I also, being the dork that I am, started researching the area, and the history of the building that was to be our future home.

I found some information online regarding the year the building was erected (1823) as well as interesting war anecdotes, but what REALLY caught my eye was the ad for the house next door. On the market for a cool £1.8 mil, the 5 bedroom house is spread over five floors occupying the entire building, whilst our building is split into flats.

The house has pretty much the same layout as our building with the added bonus of a lower ground floor, extending into a full garden as the plans below show. (Our own garden happens to be a tiny slice of the original space. A minuscule oasis - the result of a great garden massacre to create tiny multiple green spaces for the flats above ensuring maximum rental income.)

As I nosed around I noticed the floorplan for their second floor. Our flat is also on the second floor, and as I compared the two plans, I could only laugh for fear of crying. What is our entire flat, is just one bedroom next door.

Oh how the other half live.

Soaking it up!

How exciting to be featured on Design*Sponge, one of my all time favourite design sites! If you missed it, check it out here:
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/04/before-after-two-living-room-and-mantel-makeovers.html 

The Flat With the Red Door

The minute we saw the ad for the flat I fell in love. There weren't many photos, which was a bit suspicious, but the location, nestled between quirky Clerkenwell and bustling Angel was perfect. Situated in a sea of stunning 18th century Georgian terraced mansions, the flat was on a quiet street opposite a square. As we approached the bright red door, I thought "This is far too good to be true"...and it was.

The flat was tiny. Teeny even. We were showed into the kitchen / lounge and it got worse. It. Was. Filthy. The smell - indescribable. There was stuff...EVERYWHERE. The fireplace wall, which was conveniently left out of the photos in the ad was a very badly painted bright red. The curtains stopped short at the sill, which although is common in the UK, is also against my religion. Too add insult to injury, the sink was filled with filthy dishes.

After my initial shock at the state of the lounge, and a tour of the rest of the flat which was of a similar state, the designer in me came to life. I thought of this as an opportunity. My glass was half full. I looked at the original hard wood floors. I ignored the smell. I looked at the high ceilings. I ignored the dirty curtains. I looked at the big ceiling height sash windows. I wanted it.

I was lucky that my very lovely boyfriend trusted me. I'm convinced he was skeptical, but somehow very nervously, we put an offer in. A few hours later it was accepted.

In the next few posts I will share the process of making the space livable. In the mean time, cast your eyes upon - *drumroll* THE BEFORE:

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WELCOME!

Hi All,

Welcome to the (long overdue) blog, in which I hope to showcase freelance interior design projects, as well as explore current, past, and future design trends. Enjoy!